Series Preview: Yankees @ Rays

Yankees - Rays
@ Tropicana Field
(three games)

After a fantastic 9-1 homestand the Yankees head to Tampa for a big three-game series with the Rays. We all know how well the Yanks have been playing; 22-6 in their last 28 games. They're 16-6 in July, and since Alex Rodriguez returned they're 47-23. And they're now 2.5 games up on the Sox for first in the East.

None of that will matter if they can't figure out how to beat teams like the Rays, Red Sox and Angels down the stretch. So far they've split the eight games with Tampa this year, which is alright, but you'd like to be doing better than .500. The Yankees are playing great baseball right now, but this series will be a big test.

Tampa is currently 54-45, and 6.5 games behind the Yanks for first in the division, and 4 games behind Boston in the Wild Card race. They're just 10-10 in July and have been hit by the injury bug all year. Finally, they're relatively healthy and have all the ability to make a strong late-season push in the standings.

For the Yankees to take their hot streak with them on the road the pitchers are going to have to continue doing their jobs. This series the Yankees have their top two starters (CC and A.J.) and a rejuvinated Joba Chamberlain going, and they'll be matched up against Tampa's top three; Shields, Kazmir, and Garza.

Obviously, I'd like to see the Yanks sweep, but two out of three ain't bad.

Pitching Matchups

Game 1: Tonight @ 7:10 p.m. | TV/Radio: YES, WCBS
RHP A.J. Burnett (9-4, 3.74) vs. RHP James Shields (6-6, 3.70)

Game 2: Tuesday @ 7:10 p.m. | TV/Radio: MY9, WCBS
LHP CC Sabathia (10-6, 3.67) vs. LHP Scott Kazmir (4-6, 6.69)

Game 3: Wednesday @ 7:10 p.m. | TV/Radio: YES/ESPN, WCBS
RHP Joba Chamberlain (6-2, 3.86) vs. RHP Matt Garza (7-7, 3.68)

Players To Watch

YANKEES: Derek Jeter - Jeter is having an MVP type season so far. Hitting .321/.398/.457 with 11 homers, 19 doubles, 43 RBI, has scored 63 runs, and stolen 18 bases. Besides that he's having one of if not his best year defensively. And so far in July the Captain is hitting .367/.452/.478 with 2 homers and 11 RBI.

In 2009 against the Rays, Jeter is hitting .273/.333/.515 with 2 homers and 5 RBI. But in the three games played at Tropican Field he's hiting .417/.462/.750, with a homer and 4 RBI. Hopefully he can continue the hot hitting this week.

Jeter vs. Shields: .385/.407/.538 (10-for-26) with a homer and 5 RBI.
Jeter vs. Kazmir: .129/.229/.258 (4-for-31) with a homer and 4 RBI
Jeter vs. Garza: .294/.333/.294 (5-for-17): RBI

RAYS: Carlos Pena - Since going over to Tampa, the Rays first baseman has made a habit out of hitting big home runs against the Yanks. So far this year he's already got 4 to go along with 10 RBI in just 8 games. As a Ray, Pena is hitting .265/.399/.605 with 14 HR and 31 RBI in 41 games.

He comes into today hitting .219/.352/.501 with 25 HR and 64 RBI. As you can see he's struggling with the average, but the power numbers are still very good.

Pena vs. Burnett: .125/.323/.250 (3-for-24), HR, 3 RBI, 11 K
Pena vs. Sabathia: .160/.250/.440 (4-for-25) 2 HR, 2 RBI, 11 K
Pena vs. Chamberlain: 1-for-4, BB

Injury Report

YANKEES:
- Chien-Ming Wang, SP: 15-day DL with a strained right shoulder. He may have a torn rotator cuff, and could be headed to season-ending surgery. He will be meeting with Dr. James Andrews this week.
- Xavier Nady, RF: Done for year, season-ending Tommy John surgery. 10-12 months to recover.
- Damaso Marte, RP: 15-day DL with a sore shoulder. He's on a rehab assignment with the SWB Yanks and is at least a week away.

RAYS:
- Chad Bradford, RP: 15-day DL with a lower back tightness.
- Jason Isringhausen, RP: 60-day DL with a torn right elbow ligament
- Akinori Iwamura, 2B: 60-day DL with a torn ACL in his left knee - out 3-4 months
- Brian Shouse, RP: 15-day DL with a left elbow strain.
- Troy Percival, RP: 15-day DL with right shoulder tendinitis.
- Shawn Riggans, C: 15-day DL with right shoulder tendinitis.
- Fernando Pérez, CF 60-day DL with a dislocated left wrist - out 3-4 months.